Plot allotted for Pakistan consulate at Mumbai

Mumbai, May 5 : Pakistan has finally acquired a piece of land near the airport from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development, on which it will build its consulate.

Pakistan had shut down its consulate in the metropolis in 1992, following a diplomatic standoff between the two countries.

According to a report, on the instructions of the Central Government, the Maharashtra Government had identified this piece of land and Pakistani officials made a final selection of it.

After their approval of the plot, the decision was taken to sell the plot to the Pakistan consulate according to the norms prescribed by the Centre for construction of the Deputy High Commissioner's office.

The plot at Kalina measures 4,000 square metres.

As part of the bilateral peace process at a high-level meeting held three years ago, it was decided that while Pakistan would reopen its consulate in Mumbai, India would set up its consulate in Karachi.

Pakistans first preference was for the 1936-built Jinnah House at Malabar Hill.

However, successive governments have rejected the request. The descendents of Jinnah, Nusli Wadia and his mother Dina, have also been claiming the same land as rightfully theirs.